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Andersone N, Nardelli G, Ipsen C, Edwards K. Exploring Managerial Job Demands and Resources in Transition to Distance Management: A Qualitative Danish Case Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:69. [PMID: 36612399 PMCID: PMC9819480 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Organizations worldwide have shifted to working from home, requiring managers to engage in distance management using information and communication technologies (ICT). Studies show that managers experience high job demands and inadequate guidance during COVID-19; therefore, the transition to distance management raises questions about the increase in managerial job demands and the impact on managers' well-being. This study aims to explore first-line managers' perceptions of job demands and available resources during the first year of the pandemic and understand the implications for first-line managers' well-being. First-line managers face complex and conflicting demands, making them more challenged in their management task than other management levels. We used the job demands-resources model in this qualitative, longitudinal empirical study. The study draws on 49 semi-structured interviews with seven first-line managers from a large pharmaceutical company in Denmark, whom we followed throughout the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, from May 2020 to May 2021. Our findings suggest that the first-line managers perceived increased emotional and practical demands. While the managers appreciated the initial guidance provided by the organization, they perceived the organizational support as outdated and superficial. As a result, to cope with the uncertainty caused by the pandemic and the shift to distance management, the managers relied on work engagement enablers such as social support. Even though the COVID-19 pandemic portrays unique circumstances in transitioning to distance management that require further exploration outside the COVID-19 context, the insights from this study can assist organizations in developing awareness about transitions to better support first-line management to embrace changes in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelda Andersone
- DTU Management Department, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - Christine Ipsen
- DTU Management Department, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kasper Edwards
- DTU Management Department, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
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Sjöblom K, Mäkiniemi JP, Mäkikangas A. "I Was Given Three Marks and Told to Buy a Porsche"-Supervisors' Experiences of Leading Psychosocial Safety Climate and Team Psychological Safety in a Remote Academic Setting. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:12016. [PMID: 36231318 PMCID: PMC9565942 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study examines leading psychosocial safety climate (PSC) within the organization and psychological safety in teams in remote work conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These topical working life phenomena have an essential role in health, well-being and productivity in today's working life, but they have rarely been studied in remote work context. A total of 26 supervisors and leaders at three Finnish universities participated in semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis, resulting in four main categories: supportive and challenging aspects of leading psychological safety and well-being, supportive and challenging aspects of organizational psychosocial safety climate leadership, support for working as a supervisor, and characteristics specific to working in academia. The results indicate that leading psychological safety remotely requires more time, deliberation and intentionality than when working face to face, and that the role of remote interaction is underlined in it. As to PSC, it is important to improve the cohesion in leading psychological safety and health in academic organizations. How PSC is led in the organizations affects not only the general psychosocial working conditions, but also the possibilities for good leadership of psychological safety in smaller units in the organization. The study makes a novel contribution especially in understanding (1) leadership of PSC and psychological safety in remote work conditions, and (2) the reciprocal relations between leading psychological safety and well-being at the organizational level and the team level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsi Sjöblom
- Work Research Centre, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland
| | | | - Anne Mäkikangas
- Work Research Centre, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland
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Mäkikangas A, Juutinen S, Mäkiniemi JP, Sjöblom K, Oksanen A. Work engagement and its antecedents in remote work: A person-centered view. WORK AND STRESS 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/02678373.2022.2080777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Mäkikangas
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Work Research Centre, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Soile Juutinen
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Work Research Centre, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | | | - Kirsi Sjöblom
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Work Research Centre, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Atte Oksanen
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Work Research Centre, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
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Håkansta C. Ambulating, digital and isolated: The case of Swedish labour inspectors. NEW TECHNOLOGY WORK AND EMPLOYMENT 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ntwe.12211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carin Håkansta
- Department of Working Life Science Karlstad Business School Karlstad University Karlstad Sweden
- Unit of Occupational Medicine Institute of Environmental Medicine Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
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Factors Influencing Adjustment to Remote Work: Employees' Initial Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18136966. [PMID: 34209796 PMCID: PMC8297254 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18136966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 crisis has disrupted when, where, and how employees work. Drawing on a sample of 5452 Finnish employees, this study explores the factors associated with employees’ abrupt adjustment to remote work. Specifically, this study examines structural factors (i.e., work independence and the clarity of job criteria), relational factors (i.e., interpersonal trust and social isolation), contextual factors of work (i.e., change in work location and perceived disruption), and communication dynamics (i.e., organizational communication quality and communication technology use (CTU)) as mechanisms underlying adjustment to remote work. The findings demonstrate that structural and contextual factors are important predictors of adjustment and that these relationships are moderated by communication quality and CTU. Contrary to previous research, trust in peers and supervisors does not support adjustment to remote work. We discuss the implications of these findings for practice during and beyond times of crisis.
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Bregenzer A, Jimenez P. Risk Factors and Leadership in a Digitalized Working World and Their Effects on Employees' Stress and Resources: Web-Based Questionnaire Study. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e24906. [PMID: 33709933 PMCID: PMC7998333 DOI: 10.2196/24906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In today’s world of work, the digitalization of work and communication processes is increasing, and will increase even further. This increase in digitalization at the workplace brings many new aspects of working life to light, such as working in virtual teams, mobile working, expectations of being constantly available, and the need for support in adapting and learning new digital tools. These changes to the workplace can contain risks that might harm the well-being of employees. Leaders can support the well-being of their employees in terms of protecting and replenishing their work-related resources to cope with critical work demands. This so-called health-promoting leadership could serve as a buffer between risk at the workplace and critical outcomes, such as stress, by amplifying work-related resources. Objective This study’s aims were twofold. First, we wanted to investigate if risk factors related to higher digitalization at the workplace can be identified and if these risk factors have an impairing effect on the well-being of employees (eg, higher stress and lower resources). Second, we wanted to investigate if the health-impairing effects of these risk factors can be reduced by health-promoting leadership. Methods A total of 1412 employees from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland took part in this online study and provided information on their perceived risks at the workplace, their leaders’ health-promoting behaviors, and their work-related stress and resources. Results The results of a hierarchical regression analysis showed that all four risk factors of digital work (distributed team work, mobile work, constant availability, and inefficient technical support) were related to higher stress at the workplace. In addition, distributed team work and inefficient technical support were associated with lower work-related resources. A possible buffer effect of health-promoting leadership between these risks and employee well-being was visible for inefficient technical support. In particular, in the case of having fewer support opportunities in learning and using digital tools, leaders could weaken the potential critical effects on stress. As for the other risk factors, leaders might engage in a different leadership behavior to improve their employees’ well-being, as the physical distance between leaders and employees in virtual team work or mobile work could make health-promoting leadership more difficult. Conclusions In a digitalized working world, solutions are needed to create working conditions that benefit employees. The results of this study strongly support the importance of investigating risk factors associated with an increase in digitalization at the workplace in addition to traditional risk factors. As for leadership, leaders need to show leadership behavior adapted to a digitalized workplace in order to reduce employee stress and increase work-related resources.
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Eldar R, Fisher-Gewirtzman D. E-worker postural comfort in the third-workplace: An ergonomic design assessment. Work 2020; 66:519-538. [PMID: 32623415 DOI: 10.3233/wor-203195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biomechanical simulation is an important tool in human-centred design, allowing for the assessment of comfort interactions between user, product and space, to optimize design features from an ergonomics perspective. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to develop a biomechanical model for the evaluation of postural comfort levels. METHODS The study used the scenario-based method to focus on the electronic-worker (e-worker) sedentary tablet tasks at public workplace (third-workplace) configurations. An empirical method determined work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) risk levels. The experimental method was based on a motion-capture marker-based laboratory protocol and biomechanical model. Body postures were analysed to determine the WMSDs risk to the joints, and were compared to subjective questionnaires. RESULTS Posture was affected by the tablet target location and workplace setting. The findings confirmed our hypothesis, that neutral-position cost functions govern human motion. Almost half of the time, the e-workers' joints tended to remain in the neutral position range; of the three third-workplaces, high-risk variability was less significant between the 'restaurant' and 'lounge' settings, compared to the 'anywhere' configuration. CONCLUSIONS This evaluation model can contribute to optimizing comfort level in design for third-workplace settings and other sedentary work activities; it can be used to develop guidelines for minimizing work-related strain and health hazards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranit Eldar
- Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, Haifa, Israel
| | - Dafna Fisher-Gewirtzman
- Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, Haifa, Israel
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Ojala S, Pyöriä P. Mobile knowledge workers and traditional mobile workers: Assessing the prevalence of multi-locational work in Europe. ACTA SOCIOLOGICA (COPENHAGEN, DENMARK) 2018; 61:402-418. [PMID: 30369614 PMCID: PMC6187491 DOI: 10.1177/0001699317722593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
This article contributes to the discussion on flexible working by assessing empirically the prevalence of mobile, multi-locational work in Europe (EU-28, Norway and Switzerland). Drawing on data from the Sixth European Working Conditions Survey, the prevalence of multi-locational work across Europe is examined in terms of the knowledge intensity of the work. Knowledge-intensive occupations are characterised by a high level of individual skills, typically acquired through tertiary-level education, and a high degree of autonomy combined with frequent use of ICT. According to the results, working on mobile sites - a practice that augments working in the primary workplace - is most common in northern European countries, where the proportion of knowledge-intensive occupations is high. However, even in the Nordic region, knowledge workers predominantly work at their employers' premises. This finding is in marked contrast with the hyperbole and expectations which assume that ICT allows knowledge workers to work free from the constraints of time and space. Agriculture, construction and transport workers still represent the largest proportion of the mobile workforce. Knowledge-intensive job features, however, predict the adoption of working at home. The analysis adds to the literature on flexible working by taking into account both traditional and knowledge-intensive forms of multi-locational work as well as providing a cross-national comparison.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satu Ojala
- Satu Ojala, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tampere, FI-33014, Finland.
| | - Pasi Pyöriä
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tampere, Finland
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Burmeister CP, Moskaliuk J, Cress U. Ubiquitous Working: Do Work Versus Non-work Environments Affect Decision-Making and Concentration? Front Psychol 2018; 9:310. [PMID: 29593613 PMCID: PMC5859676 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
New communication technologies and mobile devices have enabled knowledge workers to work independently of location and in more than one fixed environment (ubiquitous working). Previous research shows that physical environments can influence cognition and work performance. We manipulated environment (i.e., a virtual office as a typical work environment compared to a virtual garden as a non-work environment) and time pressure (i.e., inducing time pressure vs. no time pressure) in order to investigate whether the environment influences decision-making and concentration. N = 109 students participated in this laboratory experiment. We posited (a) that a work environment would activate a work-related schema which in turn would enhance concentration performance and make decisions more risky compared to non-work environments and (b) that the environmental effect is more pronounced if time pressure is present compared to conditions where no time pressure is present. We found modest hypothesis-confirming main effects of environment on decision-making and concentration but no interaction effect with time pressure. As we used an innovative methodology that entails several limitations, future research is needed to give insights into the process and to investigate whether results hold true for all types of work settings, work demands, or work activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin P Burmeister
- Knowledge Construction Lab, Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Johannes Moskaliuk
- Knowledge Construction Lab, Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien, Tübingen, Germany.,Wirtschaftspsychologie Department, International School of Management, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ulrike Cress
- Knowledge Construction Lab, Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien, Tübingen, Germany
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‘New Ways of Working’ as a tool for improving the performance of a knowledge-intensive company. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT RESEARCH & PRACTICE 2017. [DOI: 10.1057/kmrp.2013.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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11
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Atanasoff L, Venable MA. Technostress: Implications for Adults in the Workforce. CAREER DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/cdq.12111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lynn Atanasoff
- Penn State World Campus Career Services; The Pennsylvania State University
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Nayani RJ, Nielsen K, Daniels K, Donaldson-Feilder EJ, Lewis RC. Out of sight and out of mind? A literature review of occupational safety and health leadership and management of distributed workers. WORK AND STRESS 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/02678373.2017.1390797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Karina Nielsen
- Sheffield University Management School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Kevin Daniels
- Norwich Business School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | | | - Rachel C. Lewis
- Kingston Business School, Kingston University, Affinity Health at Work, London, UK
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Felstead A, Henseke G. Assessing the growth of remote working and its consequences for effort, well-being and work-life balance. NEW TECHNOLOGY WORK AND EMPLOYMENT 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/ntwe.12097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 253] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Chatterjee S, Sarker S, Siponen M. How Do Mobile ICTs Enable Organizational Fluidity: Toward a Theoretical Framework. INFORMATION & MANAGEMENT 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.im.2016.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Palvalin M, Vuolle M. Methods for identifying and measuring the performance impacts of work environment changes. JOURNAL OF CORPORATE REAL ESTATE 2016. [DOI: 10.1108/jcre-11-2015-0035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to introduce and evaluate methods for analysing the impacts of work environment changes. New working practices and work environments present the potential to improve both the productivity and the wellbeing of knowledge workers, and more widely, the performance of organisations and the wider society. The flexibility offered by information and communication technology has influenced changes in the physical environment where activity-based offices are becoming the standard. Research offers some evidence on the impacts of work environment changes, but studies examining methods that could be useful in capturing the overall impacts and how to measure them are lacking.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper concludes research of the last five years and includes data from several organisations. The paper presents and empirically demonstrates the application of three complementary ways to analyse the impacts of knowledge work redesigns. The methods include: interview framework for modelling the potential of new ways of working (NWoW); questionnaire tool for measuring the subjective knowledge work performance in the NWoW context; and multidimensional performance measurement for measuring the performance impacts at the organisational level.
Findings
This paper presents a framework for identifying the productivity potential and measuring the impacts of work environment changes. The paper introduces the empirical examples of three different methods for analysing the impacts of NWoW and discusses the usefulness and challenges of the methods. The results also support the idea of a measurement process and confirm that it suits NWoW context.
Practical implications
The three methods explored in this study can be used in organisations for planning and measuring work environment changes. The paper presents a comprehensive approach to work environment which could help managers to identify and improve the critical points of knowledge work.
Originality/value
Changes in the work environment are huge for knowledge workers, but it is still unclear whether their effects on performance are negative or positive. The value of this paper is that it applies traditional measurement methods to NWoW contexts, and analyses how these could be used in research and management.
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Sandström N, Eriksson R, Lonka K, Nenonen S. Usability and affordances for inquiry-based learning in a blended learning environment. FACILITIES 2016. [DOI: 10.1108/f-12-2014-0097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the core dimensions of user experiences in a physical and technologically embedded learning environment (LE) designed to support active student-led inquiry-based studies and collaborative knowledge creation in higher education.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper integrated the USEframe of usability of built environments and the inquiry-based engaging learning environment (ELE) to test and develop the usability and pedagogy of future LEs. A group of ten teacher students was studied and interviewed semi-structurally after a seven-week inquiry-based course unit. The findings were considered in light of the two frameworks.
Findings
The physical and embedded LEs provided the students with socio-digital affordances that promoted experienced study engagement, knowledge co-creation and sharing and a sense of safety and belonging in the scientific community. The application of the ELE model and the agile physical setting complemented and supported each other and promoted learning.
Practical implications
The results shed light on how to integrate understanding the user process, user experience and use of embedded LEs to develop usability of new LEs.
Originality/value
The living lab provides different stakeholders with tangible information about usability and helps the designers in concrete streamlining of pedagogy and physical LEs.
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SmartWoW – constructing a tool for knowledge work performance analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRODUCTIVITY AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT 2015. [DOI: 10.1108/ijppm-06-2013-0122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose
– New Ways of Working (NewWoW) refers to a novel approach for improving the performance of knowledge work. The purpose of this paper is to seek innovative solutions concerning facilities, information technology tools and work practices in order to be able to “work smarter, not harder.” In order to develop work practices toward the NewWoW mode there is a need for an analytical management tool that would help assess the status of the organization’s current work practices and demonstrate the impacts of development initiatives. This paper introduces such a tool.
Design/methodology/approach
– Constructive research approach was chosen to guide the development of the Smart ways of working (SmartWoW) tool. The tool was designed on the basis of previous knowledge work performance literature as well as on interviews in two knowledge-intensive organizations. The usefulness of the tool was verified by applying it in four organizations.
Findings
– SmartWoW is a compact questionnaire tool for analyzing and measuring knowledge work at the individual level. The questionnaire consists of four areas: work environment, personal work practices, well-being at work and productivity. As SmartWoW is a standardized tool its results are comparable between organizations.
Research limitations/implications
– SmartWoW was designed a pragmatic managerial tool. It is considered possible that it can be valuable as a research instrument as well but the current limited amount of collected data does not yet facilitate determining its usefulness from that perspective.
Originality/value
– This paper makes a contribution to the existing literature on knowledge work measurement and management by introducing an analytical tool which takes into account the NewWoW perspective.
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Koroma J, Hyrkkänen U, Vartiainen M. Looking for people, places and connections: hindrances when working in multiple locations: a review. NEW TECHNOLOGY WORK AND EMPLOYMENT 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/ntwe.12030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Groenesteijn L, Hiemstra-van Mastrigt S, Gallais C, Blok M, Kuijt-Evers L, Vink P. Activities, postures and comfort perception of train passengers as input for train seat design. ERGONOMICS 2014; 57:1154-65. [PMID: 24831434 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2014.914577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Working in the train is a part of new ways of working. However, the ideal working position is unknown. Moreover, the ideal position for leisure and relaxing is also unknown. This article defines what activities train passengers mainly perform and which corresponding postures are seen. Based on the observations on actual train rides, four main activities could be identified: Reading, Staring/sleeping, Talking and Working on laptop. Working on laptop was the activity with the longest duration and talking had the shortest duration. Associated with these four activities, a top eight of different postures were observed. Except for headrest comfort, comfort scores were not significantly different between activities. The top eight corresponding postures combined with comfort scores showed that per activity different postures were observed and the comfort scores varied in relation to the combination of posture and activity. Nearly for all activities, the majority of passengers preferred adjustability options to fit the seat to the performed activity.
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Bosch-Sijtsema PM, Fruchter R, Vartiainen M, Ruohomäki V. A Framework to Analyze Knowledge Work in Distributed Teams. GROUP & ORGANIZATION MANAGEMENT 2011. [DOI: 10.1177/1059601111403625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
This article presents a framework to analyze knowledge work in the changing context of new ways of working. Knowledge work increasingly takes place as collaboration from different and changing workplaces due to mobility, multilocational, and geographical distribution of participants. We define the framework based on five key factors that pose challenges to the performance and productivity of knowledge work performed in distributed teams. The framework extends and integrates traditional performance models of task, team structure, and work process, with context factors like workplace, organization policy, and information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure. The framework is applied in a qualitative comparative cross-case analysis to eight globally distributed teams in two Fortune 100 high-tech companies. We conclude with a series of specific challenges for each factor when studying distributed knowledge work. It is shown that due to changing contexts knowledge workers, teams, and organizations need to constantly adapt, readjust, and realign according to the five factors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Matti Vartiainen
- Aalto University School of Science and Technology, Aalto, Finland,
| | - Virpi Ruohomäki
- Aalto University School of Science and Technology, Aalto, Finland,
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Hislop D, Axtell C. Mobile phones during work and non-work time: A case study of mobile, non-managerial workers. INFORMATION AND ORGANIZATION 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.infoandorg.2011.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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